A Prayer of Thanks and Praise for the Greatest Gift of All: Jesus
By Debbie McDaniel
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
In this season of giving gifts, and the hustle and bustle the holidays often bring, it can be all too easy to overlook the greatest gift of all. The very One who brought Christmas to us. The One who lights our world and brings hope to our days.
Jesus.
Sometimes we just need to stop everything, and remember again, how thankful we are for our Savior.
For He is everything to us.
When we're troubled and hurting, when we feel lonely or afraid, He is our Wonderful Counselor.
When we need to see a miracle in life, when we need someone to fight for us, He is our Mighty God.
When we forget who we belong to, when we need to be reminded that we're greatly loved and cared for, He is our Everlasting Father who loves to give good gifts to His children.
When we feel anxious and worried, when we need a reminder that our future is secure no matter what swirls around us, He is our Prince of Peace.
His very presence in our lives gives us such great reason to celebrate.
If you have big needs today, be assured, He is a big God. Nothing is too difficult for Him to handle. And He cares about all that concerns you. Maybe you’ve experienced deep loss this year, or you feel all alone this season, and fear or despair have gripped your heart…you can bring it to Jesus. All of it, the brokenness, the questions, and the pain.
Amidst the chaos and busyness of the season, we can find true rest in Him alone.
Immanuel...God with us.
So much reason to celebrate.
Thank you Jesus!
Dear God,
Help us to focus on the greatest gift of all this season, and the whole year through. Thank you for sending your one and only Son, that we might be saved through Him. We praise you for your faithfulness and power. We thank you for your love and peace. Forgive us for letting other things get in the way of remembering what’s most important this Christmas. We ask for your joy and strength to fill us afresh, may we shine the light of your presence everywhere we go. We need you and we love you Lord.
In the powerful Name of Jesus,
Amen.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” - 2 Corinthians 9:15
Find more by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Related Resource: Starting 2026 with Intention: Confidence, Diligence, and God’s Direction
As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.
I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
